Carbon Capture and Sequestration
Carbon Capture and Sequestration Projects
Statement from Warren County Commissioners on Carbon Capture and Sequestration Projects
The Warren County Commissioners want to provide information regarding recent interest in carbon sequestration and a pipeline to transport liquid CO2. This information is intended to inform citizens of our local efforts to stop these projects and to ensure the county’s best interests are protected.
Potential Carbon Sequestration Project
At the August 21, 2023 Commissioner Meeting, representatives from Tenaska presented information regarding their interest in exploring the geology beneath Warren County for a potential carbon sequestration project. They provided the following website for public review of the potential project https://hickoryccs.com/ Because the project requires a specific geology for their project, the company sought to perform a non-invasive testing method using the public right-of-way on specific roads in the county. At that meeting, the Commissioners declined to provide any approvals or endorsements of the project and took additional time to understand the request. Members of the public were present to ask questions of the project presenters about any potential safety or environmental concerns. Afterwards, County Commissioners began further researching the project details and asked legal counsel to review federal, state, or local regulations that pertain to this type of industry and project. At their January 2, 2024 meeting, the Commissioners unanimously declined Tenaska’s application for a permit to use the county Right of Way to do the studies.
Why carbon sequestration is being explored in Indiana across the US?
In researching the issue, the primary driver of carbon sequestration efforts is the federal government’s focus on reducing carbon in the atmosphere. While there are several questions about the science and motives behind these efforts, federal regulation has forced businesses to adopt carbon reduction efforts. Industries that produce heavy carbon emissions such as energy producers (e.g. ethanol production, oil refinement, etc.) and manufacturers (e.g. steel production, ammonia, cement, etc.) are highly affected by these regulations and costs. Thus, businesses are seeking opportunities to capture and store carbon, to gain access to “Carbon Credits,” rather than pay regulatory fees and penalties. They can then sell or use the Carbon Credits to expand production using fossil fuels.
What influence can the County have on these types of projects?
Warren County has adopted and maintains zoning ordinances across the county to help maintain the safety, environmental, and quality of place for citizens. While there are always differing viewpoints of what is appropriate, local systems and processes are in place to help balance the rights of individual landowners with the rights of their adjoining landowners. The county’s commissioners and Area Plan Commission have been using this process to evaluate the carbon sequestration project. The county is currently working through an ordinance to regulate pipelines but, unfortunately, we do not have much influence on the sequestration process.
Regarding sequestration projects and pipelines, Warren County must operate within state and federal regulations. An Indiana bill in 2022, HB1209, (https://legiscan.com/IN/text/HB1209/2022) provided mechanisms for carbon sequestration projects to be explored in the state, outside of local control. Similarly, there are significant federal and state regulations for pipeline siting, operations, and safety measures.
Warren County officials will do everything in their power to represent the rights of citizens and property owners and fight this new, unnecessary federal scam.
What can citizens do regarding these types of projects?
Citizens are encouraged to use local, state, and federal processes for providing your input on these public matters. 1. Attend public meetings to hear information from various sides of the topic. 2. Become informed about carbon capture, sequestration, and the local impacts it may have. 3. Contact your local, state, and federal representatives and express your questions and concerns.
Ordinance re Hazardous Pipelines (Carbon Sequestration) revised 2-20-24